Disclaimer: No ownership of any of the "Third Watch" characters claimed. Oh and a small note. This takes place right after Season 4, which will be important at the end of this chapter. You'll see why. ***** Lillian was setting the plates on the table when she heard the door open. A moment later she heard voices as Sully came out of the bedroom to greet the kids. A small smile played on her lips; kids, they weren't kids anymore. As much as she hated to admit it, Mary and Ty had grown up. They were no longer chasing each other around the living room, engaging in pillow fights or a game of catch with the dog. No, they were adults. And they were perfect.well perfect for each other at least. Lillian couldn't think of anyone she'd rather see Mary with.

Just like there was no one else for her but Sully. It was odd.when she had first met him, she couldn't stand him. She was a public defender fresh out of Georgia and he was a smart ass Yankee cop, but somehow he managed to charm her. She couldn't imagine her life without him. Smiling, she walked into the living room to join them. "Hello, you two."

"Hi, Momma." Mary hugged her mother, not even realizing how much she needed that hug until it happened. Maybe she could pull her mother away later and talk to her in private; she understood what it was like to not always be on the same side as those you love. Maybe she could tell her how to get through this. Maybe.

"Baby, is something wrong?"

"Just tired."

"Tired?" Ty gave her a teasing grin. "What are you tired from? You got the day off."

Now Lillian looked really worried. Sully too, which is why he ended up asking, "You okay, kiddo?"

"Yeah. It's nothing like that. I had a meeting with my editor this morning and he gave me the rest of the day off."

Ty nodded, "Mary's moving up in the world. She now has a story to investigate." He looked over at his partner, "And.it's about us. You're finally going to be a celebrity, Sul."

"Well yippee. Let me go grab my autograph pen right now." He shrugged. "At least Boscorelli will be jealous."

Ty shook his head. "He and Faith are a part of it too."

Lillian ignored the cops and gave all her attention to her only child, "What's the story?"

"Can we wait and talk about it after dinner?" Lillian knew Mary well enough to know she was genuinely upset and so let it go with a nod.

She turned back to the men, "Ready for dinner?"

"Is Sully breathing?" Ty quipped before adding his little "ooohh."

Mary rolled her eyes, "Don't forget, Ty. I've seen you eat."

"I don't know what you're talking about." **** The meal was great. The food was excellent and the four of them sat around talking about all sorts of different things. Then during one lull in the conversation, Mary decided to brave the dreaded topic.just to get a feel for how he'd react. "Daddy.I have sort of an odd question for you?"

Sully, doubting he could be phased by any question, simply nodded.

"Have you ever.well.have you ever done anything while working that wasn't quite.kosher?"

Lillian gave her daughter a wary glance, not sure if she liked where this was going.

Sully, on the other hand, knew he didn't like where this was going and was wondering why she would ever ask him something like this. But just to make sure, he was going to make her clarify. "What do you mean by 'wasn't quite kosher'?"

"You know.bend the rules a bit. Ensured things turned out the way you wanted them to?"

"Are you asking me if I'm corrupt?"

"No.." But Mary's voice didn't sound too sure. She never was any good at lying to him.

"What's all this about, kid? You think I'm a corrupt cop?"

"No! Of course not! I just."

Ty shook his head, "Come on.this is your dad. He would.wait. Is this what you're article's about? They want you to name your father as corrupt?"

"Not just Dad."

"Well who else could you.me? Me? Mary, I'd never."

"I know that. But I guess they figure like father, like son. Bosco and Faith were also named."

"By who?" Sully was getting pissed. But then again what else was new.

"John, calm down." Lillian interjected, hoping to be the voice of reason.

"Who?"

"I don't know. Ronald's going to try to find out. The tip was anonymous."

Sully nodded, "Now I got another question for you. Do you believe any of this?"

She shook her head, "Should I?"

He just gave her a 'what do you think' look. She nodded. "Right. Stupid question."

"Now I have a question," Ty interjected. "What are we going to do about this?"

"Well my plan is to set up a meeting with the Sergeant. Maybe get a look at your files. They should show your clean. Then if we can find out who named you.we can find out why they thought this."

"Or who set them up," Lillian added.

Mary gave her mother an odd look.

"You'd be surprised how often that happens. I see it all the time." She smiled. "Just do me a favor and don't rule it out right away, okay?"

"Sure." Mary was open to anything right now.

"Good girl." Lillian grinned. "Now who wants dessert?"

Mary and John gave her identical looks. Dessert? How could she be thinking of dessert right now?

Lillian couldn't help but laugh. They were so much alike; she was surprised Mary hadn't become a cop but then again it could be because she had hated the idea. She spent every night wondering if her husband was coming home. She wasn't going to worry about her baby that way. "There's nothing that can be done til Mary gets that name, so why don't we all just relax."

The two nodded and she disappeared into the kitchen to bring out the pie she had made. While she was gone Mary's cell phone rang. Jumping up, the girl excused herself and stepped out into the other room to answer it. "Talk to me."

"Well it took a lot of work and about ten different people but I have a name for you."

"You do!? Ronald, you're the best. Who is it?"

She listened as Ronald relayed the information to her. Hanging up, she headed back into the dining room with a serious expression on her face.

Concerned, Ty began to stand, "Baby, who was it?"

"Ronald.he got me the name?"

"And?" Sully was more than curious.

"Cruz. It was Cruz."